SPRING SPRINGING There are so many signs of the eagerly awaited Spring: more bird choruses; melting snow; southern breezes wafting over the land. But my particular, never-fail sign is the amount of roadkill. You can't drive down a street without sudden evasive maneuvers around the racoon, opossum and squirrel carcasses virtually everywhere. Daddy Racoon cheerily pokes his head out of the cozy burrow assuring the family he will scout out some tasty trashy treats and ends up road splat. Squirrels intent on amorous activities chase a flirty tail rather than stop-look-listen for oncoming traffic. Opossums are just slow.
Taller vehicles and work trucks seem to have a special affinity for unobserved animal mayhem incidents as I watched the neighborhood trash truck almost wipe out one of our furry free-loading guests. Their lack of vision right in front of them is matched only by their habit of mostly looking at the side of the road to score the next pick-up. When solid waste disposal was under my purview as a safety skate I had to investigate an incident where a driver "almost" wiped out a child who ran in the street-literally ending up right under the open part of the truck. (no injury)
The investigation revealed some uncomfortable work practices. Of course, the Union VP was right on my tail during the investigation (I invite them along) hollering about the unfairness of it all... Ponder that for a second... DIGRESS: Another mystery is why do they always state their case at "shout" level? It seems part of their "shtick". One time I had the pleasure of the local union guys telling their national guy to calm down as I had already told him he was welcome to be part of the investigation after a confined space incident. He was also notable in that he would always, literally, bang a chair, which as a normal person and a Mother, had no effect on me. Same guy used the same tactic when I was testifying in a disciplinary hearing which again had no effect on the Administrative Law Judge who found it rude. You think?
Anyway I found the driver's normal practice was kind of riding the clutch as there were frequent stops and jumping out as the truck was still in slow motion. Ouch. Training notwithstanding-quicker is better is the mindset. Management is not blameless if insistence on production overrules acting safely.
CAUTION- POLITICAL RANT Nice to see Michigan is trying to emulate some other cra-cra States who will remain nameless (Texas, Florida). The difference these days is people actually say out loud, after the former prez made it mainstream, what most kept in their heads as we became, oh I don't know, adults and aware that other people live in the world. Unfortunately the "mouthy minority" are being eagerly quoted by a misguided media leading to ridiculous claims and shutting down diversity and difference of opinion.
Apparently we have a candidate for Michigan Attorney General wanting to arrest the current AG for turning in his name and others to the federal government for committing a felony. That is, calling themselves electors and turning in false information to the federal archives claiming rumpled stiltskin won Michigan in 2020. Than we have two gubernatorial candidates who ostensibly are agreeing that married couples (or others) have no right to contraceptives and the aftermath of that decision obviously. Privacy for others seems to offend them. They may have recanted when they realized what they were suggesting unless they each have multiple children.
And the especially egregious turkey, running for State legislator in Kent County who thinks rape is something to be enjoyed when a woman is assaulted. His three daughters must be so proud and I am sorry to think of the support they will receive from their misogynist Papa if they are likewise attacked. Kent County also apparently embraces his ideas of anti-semitism, feminism, etc. remarks. What would JC do pseudo christians?
Like I said brain farts out loud. Not to mention the ongoing assault about teaching actual history or that any family besides the nuclear is an abomination. Welcome to the 1950's. On the other hand I do understand people (some) are afraid that they are not heard and they cannot make ends meet and haven't for a long time with the stagnation of wages and benefits. One desperately sick child or brief layoff could spell disaster to a family. The revolution should be aimed at those who got richer the last ten+ years not our neighbors. Maybe saying outrageous things makes us forget who we are really mad at, but powerless to impact.
FAMILY Had a great family get-together this week with the "bon mots" coming as quickly as the drinks and food. We do like our celebrations. Got some potentially serious news about one of our group, so we will simultaneously cross our fingers and pray for a positive outcome.
Joe got some belated Christmas gifts from his Aunt which included a "fart gun". Does she know nine year old boys or what? Joeism -- he mentioned sometimes he watches "inappropriate" movies with his Dad. I asked him what inappropriate meant to him. Basically he said I'm not supposed to see it but I'm with my Dad. Oh well-hope he asks questions.
💙💛God Bless Ukraine. One beacon of light amidst the bombing of hospitals, orphanages and fleeing civilians. It made my heart smile to see two elderly folks chase and chastise three Russian soldiers out of their house which further underlines it is not the Russian people who are making war... Peace (MYR in both Ukrainian and Russia-funny that)
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